He pulled her close. “I won't leave you for long. I will leave this very day, and return in three days’ time,” he promised. He leaned back and looked into her eyes. “See that Thaniel hears nothing of this.”
She frowned at him, but then understanding came. She nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
In the late morning of the second day, before the sun passed through the heights of the sky to begin its slide toward the western hills, he sat on Huram and looked down upon Durck. It was as Palus had stated. One ship lay at anchor and it was Keegan's. He felt a twinge of frustration as he looked down upon the town lying peaceful and quiet in the mid-day sun. Why would Mullen and Keegan require his personal consideration of anything?
He and Findaen and Wamlak released the horses to graze in the valley above the town while they took their meager gear and went down to the inn.
Mullen apparently saw them come, for he met them at the door. “I'm glad you came quickly, Lord Aram, for I expect that the news is welcome.”
Frowning at this, unable to shake the foul mood generated by a suspicion that this journey was very likely unnecessary, Aram nodded shortly and entered the dining hall of the inn. Two men, seated along the rear wall, immediately rose upon seeing him enter.
Aram halted, gazing at them in astonishment.
They were Andar and Matibar. The young heir to the “seat” of Seneca and his taciturn Captain.
Andar smiled as he bowed. “Matibar told you, did he not, Lord Aram, that you had not heard the last out of Seneca?”
Banning the look of astonishment from his face, Aram laid his pack aside, nodded to the tall, dark-haired Captain, and then frowned at Andar. “What does this mean?”
The young man lost his smile and his countenance became sober. “We have come to join you in your struggles,” he stated bluntly.
Astonishment returned; Aram stared. “The two of you?”
At that, Andar's smile came back and he let go a short laugh. “Not at all. I mean that all of Seneca is at your disposal, my lord. All we need to discover is how we may bring them here in the most expeditious manner.”
For a long moment, Aram was rendered speechless. Then, remembering that Joktan had gone into the east to reason with Seneca’s “old man”, he blurted out, “What has caused the Eldest's change of heart, if I may ask?”
Andar became sober once more. “There was no change of heart, Lord Aram. Two things have happened since you left our borders – after an illness, my father has gone to be with his fathers, leaving me in the Seat of Instruction. Almost immediately upon the heels of that event, I met a ghost.”
“A ghost?”
“Your father, or at least one of your fathers,” Seneca's new, young ruler said with a peculiar smile.
“Ah, Joktan.”
Andar's eyes went wide as he remembered. “I met him of an evening, just after my ascension, as I walked the grove. I could see straight through him.” He laughed again though his eyes remained wide. “He succeeded in convincing me that I was not mad, and then proceeded to verify all that you told us, Lord Aram. He made me acknowledge the truth of that which my heart ever told me was true.” His expression grew serious once more and he bowed slightly. “So, I place the strength of Seneca at your disposal. If necessary, we will march the whole of the way, but it is very far and it will be extremely difficult to traverse the Lost – as you yourself know.” He met Aram's astonished gaze. “Perhaps, my lord, you can conceive of a means by which we may hurry the arrival of our forces?”
Tamping down amazement and the accompanying joy that threatened to overwhelm him, Aram turned to Keegan, who stood quietly to one side. “You’ve been to Seneca.”
Keegan grinned. “Many times, my lord – most recently in order to bring these two fine gentlemen to you.”
Aram started to return the young captain’s infectious grin but killed it. “How many men can you transport in your ship across such a distance?”
The young captain narrowed his eyes, considering. “Twenty-five, maybe thirty per trip. But then –”
Aram interrupted him. “How many days from Durck to Seneca and back again?”
“Ten days going east,” replied Keegan, “because the wind is with us, but returning we have to tack against it, so the return trip is usually two weeks or more.”
Aram turned back to Andar. “And what is the strength of Seneca?”
“We can place thirty-one hundred archers at your disposal, my lord.”
Aram started, stunned by the enormousness of his unlooked-for good fortune. Over three thousand archers to add to the strength of his army! Upon the instant, the thought came into his mind that the Battle of Bloody Stream might have had an entirely different and more advantageous outcome had those three thousand been present on that day. Then his thoughts leapt ahead to inevitable future conflicts. With such a cadre of bowmen, his army would assume a fuller and more flexible composition when next they faced the foe.
Regaining his composure, he turned back to Keegan. “Where is Lubchek this time of year?”
Keegan grinned. “That's what I was going to tell you a moment ago. There are more than a hundred privateers that ply the seas, my lord, and something above fifty of them often put in at this port, and so know of you. If I can put out the word that they are needed and will be paid for their time and effort, I believe that I can summon thirty or forty ships to your aid, Lord Aram.”
Again, Aram had to struggle to keep his emotions in check. “How much would you charge me, Captain?”
Keegan half-bowed. “Nothing, my lord. I am deeply in your debt, as you well know. The Nighthawk is at your disposal.”
Aram laughed even as he shook his head. “No – you will be paid. Let me ask the question thus – what do you charge for passengers on your ship for a journey of two weeks?”
“I can answer specifically, my lord,” Keegan answered, “for I have transported people between Durck and Seneca. For the eastward trip, I charge a half-silver Lamont, the return, being longer, costs one full silver. There is another thing, though...”
Hearing in his tone the potential for problems, Aram's eyes hardened. “Yes?”
“Well, it's just that we usually feed the passenger from the ship's stores as part of the cost. We cannot feed thirty passengers in the same way.”
“I understand this,” Aram nodded, relieved that it was nothing more. “But you can get me forty ships?”
The young privateer hesitated. “I know that if I put out the word, I can gather at least twenty-five or more within ten days’ time, my lord.”
Aram thought for a moment. “Alright. Tell each captain that you can find and that you trust that I will pay two silver Lamonts per each man that they transport, and I will also pay for provisions. Further, each captain that serves me faithfully and completes every necessary trip until Seneca is fully ashore in Durck will receive a thousand silver Lamonts as reward.”
Keegan's eyes widened. “One thousand Lamonts, my lord? Do you jest?”
“I want the ships, Captain, and I want them quickly,” Aram replied sternly. “I never jest. You know that I keep my word always. One thousand Lamonts for every captain that serves me faithfully.”
Keegan bowed deeply, bending forward from the waist. “Then I am certain that I can get you forty ships at least.”
“Good; do it quickly then.” Aram turned back to Andar. “Three thousand men, twenty-five per ship, forty ships, if Keegan can get them. Three trips per ship will bring Seneca into the west, but will take until the middle of summer, or later. How long will you stay?”
Andar looked pained at the tenor of the question. “Until the end, my lord. Until the Scourge is no more.”
Once more, Aram was stunned at the seemingly miraculous change in his fortunes. After a moment, he stated hesitantly. “It may very well take years.”
Andar nodded. “I understand. Many of our men are young and unmarried, but most have families, like Captain Matibar, that they will miss and that w
ill miss them. Nonetheless, we are here until the world is free. I remember that which your lady said to us, Lord Aram – that the war that has enveloped you will come to us if you fall. We are here to do our part to help you stand against the Scourge.” The young man drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “My fathers stood with your fathers, Lord Aram; I am come to stand with you.”
Aram blinked as warm moisture seeped into the corners of his eyes. “Thank you, my friend.” He looked from Andar to Matibar and back again. In both their gaze and demeanor, he saw the truth of Andar’s words confirmed. The size and strength of the alliance of free peoples had just grown appreciable larger. “Thank you, my friends,” he repeated. “I am glad you have come.”
Abruptly, he looked at Keegan. “You will see to this? You will find the ships I need?”
“Yes, my lord – I will send word across the sea at once. Do not fear; they will come.”
“Alright,” Aram stated with decision. “Go – find the ships. Tell them I will pay.”
“At once, my lord,” and turning away, Keegan whistled for his men to come in tow.
Andar held out his hand, halting the young captain. “I will return to Seneca with you, Captain.” He looked over at Matibar and then turned to Aram. “If it pleases you, my lord, I would like my captain to remain here with you and learn as much as he can about strategy – about how you intend to confront and assault the enemy. That way, he can speed Seneca's assimilation into your army.”
Aram nodded, surprised at the depth of the young man's prescient intelligence. “Very wise, and yes, it does please me. Captain Matibar is most welcome; he will aid me in better understanding the disposition of archers upon the field.” He looked at Keegan as a thought struck him. “You will need money but it is in the storehouse at Derosa. I can bring provisions as well, but it will take time.”
Keegan laughed as he answered. “I will gather the ships, my lord and set them toward Seneca.” The captain grinned. “I have flashed my own good fortune often enough that it has accomplished two things – once nearly getting me killed – but the more important thing is that you have become known as a wealthy and honest – if hard – master. They will trust that payment will ensue. And most ships will have enough provision for the first trip, anyway.”
“And for those that do not,” Andar interjected, “I will provide. Before my departure into the west, our men were instructed to bid farewell to their families and gather at the coastal city nearest them with bedrolls, tents, weapons, and at least two weeks provisions. I knew not for certain how we would come west, but I knew of your alliance with the privateers, Lord Aram.” He grinned. “I suspected from the first that the sea might be our best road.”
Aram returned the grin. “You've done well and I see that you need no instruction from me on logistical matters,” He inclined his head gratefully. “Thank you. I will have monies sent to Mullen for payment, except for the silver which I will disseminate myself when the task is done. I will wish to know these men that aid us in our need.”
“You are wise as always, my lord,” Keegan agreed.
Aram looked at Mullen. “I will send soldiers with the money and the provision wagons to provide security for you. You will provide sustenance and lodging for the men from Seneca as they arrive. Place the summoning cloth when there are troops to bring north.”
“I will, my lord,” Mullen promised.
“I will see that you are recompensed in full and I will start wagons of provisions in this direction upon my return to Derosa.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Aram's gaze swept them all. “Then we should each of us see to our appointed tasks.”
In response, Andar half bowed. “Until later, my lord. Captain Keegan and I will go now and bring Seneca to you.”
“I am most grateful – “ Aram stopped and frowned. “How do I address you, sir?”
Andar grinned. “Before my ascension, my friend Matibar simply called me by my name, Andar.”
Despite the young man's good humor, Aram's frown stayed. “I can hardly address you thus.”
Andar shrugged and became serious. “”Eldest' certainly feels ludicrous, and I cannot abide a person of your stature referencing me in high language. Prince Felspar, the ancient ally of your fathers, was addressed as 'Your Worthiness'. Will that satisfy?”
Aram smiled. “It will, Your Worthiness.”
Andar bowed again. “Then farewell, my lord, and my good Captain Matibar, until we are all of us here in the west where the future of the world will be decided.”
And with that, he and Keegan went out the door and down toward the harbor.
After instructing Mullen on the disposition of monies that he would send and promising that those monies would come soon and be kept under guard, Aram led them up over the pass to the horses. Matibar mounted up behind Wamlak and they went back north. The sun sat upon the western horizon just as they crossed the high ground between the valley that fell toward Durck and the southern plains of Wallensia. Aram's heart was lighter than it had been at any time since Thaniel's injuring.
That night they camped among the hills to the east of the road. Matibar, who had so far been silent on the trip north, eventually grew easy with the company as they sat around the fire, even laughing outright once or twice at Wamlak's clever banter. When the talk had died down, Aram looked over at him and asked about the Captain's family.
“They are well, Lord Aram, thank you.”
“It is a difficult thing to be at such a distance from one's family.”
“It is,” Matibar agreed as he gazed down into the fire. “But I thought long about that which your lady said to the council, and how you told me that the war that had come to you would one day come to us. I would rather die here, far from home, having never seen them again, than face the possibility that those I love would be slain upon the threshold of my own house.”
Aram watched him until the captain looked up again. “Years may pass before this war ends,” he stated quietly.
Matibar returned his searching look stolidly. “As Andar stated – we are with you until the end.”
“Does this resolve stand for all of your countrymen?”
“It does, Lord Aram.” Matibar replied. “As Felspar stood with Joktan long ago, so will Andar and I and our people stand with you now. On the journey to this place, we stopped in Sunderland, a city of Lamont. There we were the guest of a man named Willar who knew much of you and of the history of the ancient world, including that of Seneca. He confirmed everything you said to us.” As the Captain spoke, his gaze went to the hilt of the sword rising above Aram's right shoulder. “You once told me that your weapon was an heirloom of your lineage.”
Aram nodded silently, and waited.
Matibar drew in a deep breath and glanced around the fire at his companions before bringing his gaze back to Aram's face. “Was it in King Joktan's possession at the last battle?”
“No.”
“So then, this weapon is a new thing and unknown to the Scourge?”
“I am certain that he knows of it by now,” Aram replied, “but he has never encountered it. That encounter, when it occurs, will bring his end upon him.”
Matibar watched him in silence for a long moment. “You are certain of this?”
“I am.”
“Then, my lord, I long for the day when the Scourge meets with your sword.”
Aram met his eyes across the fire. “Your presence and that of your people will hasten that day, Captain. I am very glad to have you here.”
Matibar inclined his head silently.
The next mid-day as they were crossing the Weser, where multitudes of horses grazed between the fields of new farm land, a horse separated himself and came charging up. It was Yvan, who’d made the journey with them into the east and had borne the Senecan Captain to the woodland capitol of Mulbar. Bowing his head over to Aram, the rangy black horse then addressed Matibar.
“Captain Matibar – you have
come.”
“I am here to join in the fight against the Scourge,” Matibar answered simply.
“Have you chosen a mount?”
Matibar slid down from behind Wamlak and faced the horse. “I have not.”
“Nor have I chosen a rider,” the horse stated with significance.
Matibar stood silent and waited.
“May I bear you where you will?” The horse asked after a moment.
Matibar bowed. “It will be my honor.”
And with that, Matibar and Yvan began a friendship that was to last far beyond what either of them could have foreseen.
32.
Manon, in the form of a second self, once again stood at the end of the canyon, facing the vertical walls of granite where the Laish made their lair.
“Why come?” Asked the male. In recent conversations, the grim lord had noticed that the female had begun to avoid communication with him, refusing to speak.
“I wish to discuss the ending of our alliance and the return of your child.”
“There is no alliance between you and us.”
Manon waved this away. “Call it what you like, but do one thing more and I will release the child.”
“We want child.”
“I know this.” Manon watched them for a moment in silence. The female continued to ignore him. Her great head was turned away from him though the filmy membrane along her enormous back whirred and buzzed in agitation. The male showed signs of extreme agitation as well but the deep-set cavernous eyes below the massive horns that crowned his elongated head were fixed unmoving upon the grim lord of the world.
Turning his attention from the female whose claws sent cascades of broken rock down upon the canyon floor with each angry movement, Manon addressed the male.
“Where will you go?”
There was no answer returned to this. The male continued to gaze at him but seemed not to comprehend the meaning of the question. Manon put his hands behind his back and faced the male squarely.
Kelven's Riddle Book Four Page 22